The man behind the curtain

Wednesday

Apr 25, 2012 at 12:22 AM

MICHAEL RAYMOND

Ah, so much for the liberal's beloved Buffett Rule: Last week the vote was blocked in the Senate. Alas, now the very wealthy (top 10 percent earners) will continue to pay for only 70 percent of all our taxes - and not a penny more. And, the bottom 46 percent earners will continue to pay not a penny. It's all so unfair.

The fact is there aren't too many folks that would shed a single tear if million-dollar wage earners had to cough up more in taxes. And the extra revenue generated could be used to help pay down our outrageous federal debt. Those big bucks would provide relief all right, to the tune of .3 percent of what we owe. Yep - less than one third of one percent. Since our national debt climbs almost $5 billion every day, this is a tug on Superman's cape that wouldn't even be noticed. Fly on, man of steel.

So, if this amounts to squat-diddly why in the world are President Obama, Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer and the lot of Democrats touting it as some big deal solution? Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain - this is nothing more than pure political theater, a slight of hand meant to dazzle and elicit oohs and aahs of delight. Rest assured the magicians all know the trick and are counting on low light and a distracted audience to make it work. But the lights are suddenly coming up, Toto isn't fooled and the audience is starting to see the reality of it all. There comes a point when mirrors and flash powder can no longer deceive, and suddenly, the magic is gone.

GSA Scandal. Secret Service Scandal. Solyndra Scandal. Fast and Furious Scandal. Like a mold spreading along a grout line, the tentacles of hubris among the agencies of this administration can no longer be ignored. It is a cultural thing, a tone that is set from the top of the organization and expected to permeate throughout. If a man is defined by the company he keeps, Obama must be characterized by his appointments and their complete dereliction of the public trust. And disregard for the law.

Million-dollar junkets for civil servants with family and personal friends along for the ride. Private parties for presidential security personnel, complete with a bevy of prostitutes. "Green" company start-ups seeded with a half-billion-dollars despite all warnings of imminent failure. Covert, illegal gun-running schemes with spurious denials and claims of ignorance. Sweetheart construction deals awarded to organized labor unions, by-passing the fair bidding process.

From agency to agency the larks are piling up, those in authority tolerating and even encouraging the dismissal of honor. There is no shame in reveling at taxpayer expense, no sense of abandonment of responsibility, for there is no mentor to countermand the egregious behavior. The mind-set of elitists doesn't allow for regret but, to the contrary, justifies the advantages and excesses they believe should rightfully come with the territory.

With such a culture of corruption it is no wonder they must trump up charges against the opposition: Republicans have a 'war' on women; they seek to destroy Medicare and Social Security; they protect the wealthy and ignore middle class Americans. Yet many are wising up - and with every passing scandal the wizard is being exposed for the charlatan he is.